Last Tuesday I hopped on the mic (in my living room) and did an impromptu reading from my soon to be released poetry collection This is Not About Love from BLF Press
I’m still new to recording and video (it’s amazing the things “smart” phones can do) but I think I did alright.
This is Ode to Joy.
Krystal A. Smith (me) reading Ode to Joy from my new collection This is Not About Love available for preorder at BLF Press. Release date 4-6-21.
It feels so good to share this poem. Even though 2020 was difficult and so much is still changing I have much to be joyful about.
I hope this piece gives you a little lift. And I hope you’ll check out my collection. Click here to preorder.
Hey there Wordsmiths! I hope you’ve all had a good week! I made it through unscathed so I’m certainly not complaining. Especially since my request for vacation was APPROVED! ✔️
I ordered a couple of books Tuesday (I know, I know, but I NEED them). #TreatYourself 💅🏾
photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash
I also virtually attended Carolina Poets poetry reading on Thursday and that was such a rejuvenating experience.
Galleys for #ThisIsNotAboutLove arrived this week and I’m absolutely smitten! Re-reading the poems in this collection I felt the flow, the energy, the healing all come back just as I felt it while writing. I think there is something in these pages for everyone.
Pre-order info can be found here on the BLF Press website. Readings and events are being scheduled too. I’m so ready to read and perform these poems for you.
This is Not About Love galleys
Valentines Weekend is here and I’m prepped and giddy with anticipation for Valentine’s activities starting tonight! I’m writing gratitude lists, crafting, reading #romance, sipping fizzy beverages and snacking in between naps. I’m celebrating the love I have for myself this year and the love I share with friends and community. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Hey Wordsmiths! Happy Monday! I hope your V-day weekend was super sweet!
It’s well past lunchtime over here so I encourage you to eat something if you haven’t already. And enjoy these tasty tidbits a/b my upcoming poetry collection. Here we go:
1. I adore these poems! No question. Ask any writer what an accomplishment that is.
2. Exactly 2 of these poems were previously accepted by journals/mags but had to be pulled cos folks didn’t wanna ack right 🙃
3. One of the poems was first written while I was in undergrad at Appstate.
4. One poem mixes both English et française.
5. Parentheticals prove extremely important in this collection.
6. I tried my hand at a duplex after a Jericho Brown online class and Yaaas!! 👌🏾👏🏾
7. There are 3 previously published pieces in this collection.
8. I try my best to evoke time, and place in these poems.
9. These poems are about you! Yes, YOU!
10. I’ll be in conversation w/DeMisty D. Bellinger on April 10th (info below) and I hope you’ll join us to talk This is Not About Love. Get a copy here from BLF Press
Greetings beautiful people! So much has happened this year! Some good, some extremely bad, and all the in between. I hope you’re all adjusting and doing what you need to do for your mental and physical wellbeing.
I’ve been writing, thankfully. I don’t 100% know how but it’s what keeps me going. Having to focus on that has been so helpful.
And just in case you missed the announcement Friday BLF Press is publishing my 1st chapbook of poems.
Cover image: This is Not About Love
“This is Not About Love explores the complexities of human emotion and relationships via memory, experience, and imagination. Smith reminds us that love is not a singular emotion, and romantic relationships are not paramount to happiness.”
If you’re interested in reviewing, contact BLF Press (info@BLFPress.com) and you can preorder by clicking here
What a month! 30 poems 30 days! Congratulations! While this challenge was great in so many ways I am likely never doing it again. The unnecessary anxiety that hit late in the evening was too much!
I asked for a few suggestions on social media on what to write today’s poem on. I got some great suggestions: doors/beginnings and endings, triscuits (lol I wrote a short and silly bop for my friend Kristie).
The suggestion that is today’s poem was an elegy for April – Thanks, Stephanie!
Fare Thee Well
Like most things that come and go, we must mourn appropriately- April 2020!
So much changed. So much still to come. We don’t know. But we hold fast and let go. Let go!
Day 29! I don’t know what to say. A poem a day keeps the blahs away (unless you’re living through a pandemic and then it’s really hit or miss). Tonight’s poem is my attempt at a William Carlos Williams creation called Triversen (six tercets to put it simply).
#29
The way she joked made me laugh deeply, but I should have wondered.
Those quick to give a laugh, or anything really, are usually hiding.
Laughter hides them from what they fear and makes it easier.
Easier to walk away, say goodbye, when the hard time comes.
I don’t know what it was that scared her enough to leave.
She was funny and so absolutely beautiful when she laughed.
Have y’all seen those Navy/Pentagon UfO 🛸 videos? Oh my goodness! What I’ve always known is coming out! But also the government thinks we are some dum-dums. This year is all about the truth coming out! I thought an echo poem would best speak to that.
#28
UFOs in the sky now? Now the government thinks we’re fools! Fools killing us one by one by one! Un- do what they’ve done to your minds. Mind what your parents & teachers taught you! You matter! This life is up to you!!
Just a couple days left in April. I’m determined to get a few more poetic forms in. Today’s poem is a cinquain, or five liner. Dedicated to my Tiny Cat who occasionally shows an interest in my feet.
#27
My cat thinks my foot is a toy under the blanket. Even if I’m still my toes will not be safe.
Day 26! It’s getting harder to crank out poems every day. This is the last week so I feel like I need to push myself. We’ll see what happens. Over all this has been a pretty good challenge.
#26 When the words don’t come or they stick to your tongue get up and move. Stretch toward the sun.
Crown yourself with flowers and oils; cleanse in nature’s showers for hours and hours.
Laugh, cry, yell; make room for the new that will come like the crisp ring of a bell!
Rest! Close your eyes! Close your eyes! Close your eyes!
